The difficulty you will have is showing that it is a real relationship when it's not. I mean in practical terms, if you don't have mutual financial support, don't see each other, don't communicate much, it will not look like a real relationship. They'll assume you are just separated.From the time I met him he has never given me money or support for the children. I live in Canada but the children are his. He cannot come here if I do not sponsor him. He is in Turkey or Syria, but has not paid any money to me or children. Never sends anything . But I have serious doubts that he only wants to come to Canada. I stopped sponsorship a few years ago but thinking of re sponsoring him in case he wants to see kids one day. I am not in a real relationship but thinking of starting it up again.
You should also consider whether you wish to take the financial and personal undertakings - risk - of sponsoring him.
Your chances will improve if you start it up again first and then sponsor him. If, that is, you wish to.